TROUBLE - Manic Frustration 12"

TROUBLE - Manic Frustration 12"
(1992, Def American//UK)

I have always been a Psalm 9 and s/t (1990) LP kinda guy and had always dismissed any TROUBLE album after the 1990 LP as "not metal enough" or "too stoner rock." Obviously I was a moron and 20 years later, I am finally coming around. After some reflection upon TROUBLE's lackluster ex-vocalist Kory Clarke (of WARRIOR SOUL fame (fame?), took over after Eric Wagner parted ways with the band in 2008), I pretty much realized that any TROUBLE with Eric Wagner singing is good TROUBLE. Hell, I'll go ahead and say that I would probably like any heavy music with Eric Wagner singing. Apparently, Manic Frustration was one of TROUBLE's best selling albums (almost reaching 100,000), but due to the year it came out, the vinyl is hard as hell to come by, for the compact disc was a bebe in full swing.

This record is actually a good midway point between the s/t (1990) LP (my favorite TROUBLE LP) and Plastic Greenhead. The album is fairly upbeat and also has a little of a poppier feel (that I love) than the preceding album. Hands down, my favorite song on here is The Sleeper. It could probably fit nicely on the B side of the s/t LP next to Black Shapes Of Doom. It wasn't until Amanda and I saw TROUBLE (still with Wagner, thank goodness) in Cleveland and they played The Sleeper that I decided to check out Manic Frustration again. Thank you, Cleveland. 'Scuse Me is also a favorite due to the great lyrics that hearken back to SAINT VITUS's Born Too Late:

'Scuse me for the clothes I wear
'Scuse me how long is my hair
'Scuse me 'cause I'm being real
Ya may not like it but it's way I feel


Hallucinations man they're outta sight
Mirror is right you know but I still love you


'Scuse me for livin' in the past
'Scuse me when your fads don't last
'Scuse me 'cause I choose to be blind
Ya may not like it though you really don't mind

How can you not love that shit? GREAT album, glad to have finally tracked down the LP. After getting this, I thought "why not" and now I have the Plastic Greenhead and Simple Mind Condition LPs on they way as well. Much easier to get, especially since Plastic Greenhead didn't come out on LP at all, originally, so it came out on vinyl later. Fuck, I love this band so much that I would feel comfortable cutting anyone out of my circle of friends and acquaintances that would not be willing to get a TROUBLE related tattoo.

4.5 / 5 bells

TANK - Filth Hounds Of Hades 12", NEGAZIONE - Lo Spirito Continua... 12"

TANK - Filth Hounds Of Hades 12" (Attic//Canada - Kamaflage//UK)
What really needs to be said about this band? Classic, powerful, driving, rock and roll Motorhead type band, I could sit around listening to TANK all day. This is the weird looking Canadian press from Attic Records (2nd press, I believe). Take me back to 1982, if only I was listening to TANK instead of HUEY LEWIS AND THE NEWS. I have bought lots of great records from RJ the past couple years and here is another one to add to the vault.

4 / 5 bells

 

NEGAZIONE - Lo Spirito Continua... 12" (Mordam//USA - Konkurrel//Netherlands)
It's difficult to imagine Mordam releasing a raging Italian HC record from 1986, but here is proof that it happened. The 1985 self-released Tutti Pazzi EP seems to be more talked about for its pure raw intensity; this Lo Spirito LP shows the band becoming more competent with their playing with a bit of a slicker and fuller production sound...but not too much, mind you. This is the 2nd pressing I got from my friend Andy (1st pressing was released by Konkurrel only), this is great quirky hardcore, I love the odd changes and song structures while still working within a more or less straight forward ripping hardcore punk sound. Each song is packed with riffs and fury, this is a one of a kind record. I would love to see hardcore punk bands these days use a little more imagination in their songwriting.

4.5 / 5 bells

NOLLA NOLLA NOLLA 12", THE DECAY - Tonight, (Back From The Death) 7", FORWARD - Devil's Cradle 7"

NOLLA NOLLA NOLLA 12" (Svart//Finland)
Svart records strikes again with another nice Finnish punk reissue. Formed in 1977, you pretty much know what to expect if you are a fan of this time period in Finnish punk...catchy, well played rock and roll influenced punk along the lines of something like RATSIA. The band broke up in 1982 after a self released EP, but this was recorded in 1984. This comes in a gatefold sleeve and booklet full of great full color photos and a write up by a band member. People in the US can get this from Havoc or Feral Ward.

4 / 5 bells

 

THE DECAY - Tonight, (Back From The Death) 7" (General Speech//USA)
This is a re-release of this Swiss hardcore EP from 1985, except this time, this is a release of the original mix. As the story goes, this is the mix the band originally submitted but the pressing plant refused to press it as it was, so the band had to remix and submit a more tame version of the EP. 5 songs of raw, inept hardcore bliss that can be mailordered from General Speech. Check out the article about this band written on Shit-fi.com.

4 / 5 bells

 

FORWARD - Devil's Cradle EP 7" (540//USA)
Bought this directly from 540 Records.
New 2 song 7" from Japan's FORWARD, out in time for Chaos In Tejas 2012, in which I regrettably did not attend. I am happy to report that this 7" shows a return to a form not seen since the While You Alive 12" EP. 100% absolutely raging Japanese hardcore on side A and then there is a new version of what is possibly the best Japanese hardcore song ever written on side B, "What's The Meaning Of Love," previously heard on the Hardcore Ball CD compilation and then later appeared on the Just Go Forward To Death 12" in 2000. The first version had a more raw and raging recording, while the 2nd version had better vocals and I dare say that this 3rd version is a perfect melding of the two. I really hope that this EP is foreshadowing on what's to come on FORWARD's new LP.

5 / 5 bells

DREADFUL SOUNDS recordshop 2nd anniversary in-store gig 6/9